Red Raider Recap: TCU 62, Tech 61

Tuesday, February 7

Fort Worth, Texas

8:00 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

16-8 (4-7B12)

TCU

17-7 (6-5B12)

Texas Tech

TCU

February 08, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Game24TexasTech-TCUStats

There are less than 1,000 tickets remaining for Saturday’s home game against No. 3 Kansas.

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Texas Tech men's basketball team was poised to send a tie game into overtime and have the opportunity to earn its first Big 12 road win of the season. However, TCU's Alex Robinson was awarded two free throws with 1.4 seconds left, and the Horned Frogs were able to come away with a 62-61 decision on Tuesday at Schollmaier Arena.

TCU (17-7, 6-5 Big 12) tallied five of its last eight points at the charity stripe and secured its third consecutive victory. Robinson's game-winner was granted by official Keith Kimble after Texas Tech's Keenan Evans appeared to knock the ball loose on a driving Robinson without contact.

After Robinson missed the second attempt, the Red Raiders (16-8, 4-7 Big 12) were unable to get a desperation heave off from next to their own basket as the buzzer sounded.

"I thought we were dialed in," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "I thought we came to play tonight. I thought we represented Tech well and gave ourselves a chance. My opinion, that game should go to overtime and let the players decide who wins the game. That being said, I have a lot of respect for the Big 12 officials. It's frustrating as a coach because I love our team. I love our guys, I love Texas Tech and I would do anything possible to get these guys over the hump of these one possession games."

Evans equaled his Big 12 season's best with 20 points, also against TCU earlier this season. He connected on 7-of-13 from the floor ignited by a trio of three-pointers to extend his career-long streak to 12 consecutive games in double figures. Evans also distributed three assists versus zero turnovers over his 33 minutes of action.

Anthony Livingston dialed up 11 of his 14 points during the second half and grabbed a Big 12 career-high tying six rebounds. He was 6-of-10 shooting aided by a pair of treys. Livingston has garnered 10-plus points in four straight games for the first time this season.

Zach Smith grinded his way to his first double-double in Big 12 action with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He also added three blocks to bring his total to 16 rejections over his last 11 outings. Smith has picked up six double-doubles this season.

Niem Stevenson gave the Red Raiders four players in double figures with 10 points. He also tacked on three rebounds, three steals and two assists during his third career start. Stevenson has amassed double digit points in three of his last four games.

Justin Gray and Aaron Ross were bottled up for two points apiece and misfired on nine of their 10 shot attempts. The duo was able to contribute seven of Texas Tech's 15 assists headed by a career-best five dimes courtesy of Ross.
Texas Tech was 24-of-59 from the floor, 7-of-16 on three-pointers and 6-of-10 at the free throw line. The Red Raiders were able to force TCU into 21 turnovers and scored 28 of the game's 40 points off miscues. Texas Tech also worked its way to 26-14 edge in paint points.

TCU countered with a 20-for-42 shooting effort which included a 9-for-22 clip from three-point territory. The Horned Frogs were an effective 13-for-17 on free throws fueled by 11 of their 13 makes coming after halftime.

The trio of Vladimir Brodziansky, Jaylen Fisher and JD Miller accounted for 28 of their 46 points during the second half. Fisher notched 17 points and four assists followed by Miller who tallied 12 of his 15 points on triples. Brodziansky managed 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks for the Horned Frogs.

After facing a 33-29 deficit in the opening moments of the second half, Texas Tech reeled off eight consecutive points to snatch a 37-33 advantage at the 17:21 mark.

The Red Raiders would lead by as many as five points during the stanza, the latest coming at 50-45 with 8:48 to go after Evans would provide back-to-back layups 35 seconds apart. He would get the second layup off a steal which forced TCU into a timeout.

The Horned Frogs responded with six straight points of their own, but Livingston was all bottoms on a three-pointer from the right wing to allow Texas Tech to regain a 53-51 edge with 5:34 remaining.

The two teams would play within one possession down the stretch. TCU went ahead 59-58 when Miller canned a three-pointer on the right baseline with 1:55 left. The Red Raiders fired back with a jump hook from Livingston who backed his defender down to make it 60-59 at the 1:33 mark.

Brodziansky hit on two free throws to place the Horned Frogs back ahead 61-60 with 30 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Evans was fouled driving to the basket. He would split his free throws with 13.6 ticks on the clock.

Texas Tech raced out to an 8-0 lead in the game's opening 3:29 behind a Livingston jump hook capped by consecutive three-pointers from Stevenson and Smith. The Red Raiders took their largest lead at 21-9 with 9:06 on a Smith driving layup.

Texas Tech would carry a 29-20 advantage at the 3:13 mark when Evans rattled home back-to-back triples within a 37-second span. However, TCU would close the half on a 10-0 spurt to take a 30-29 lead into the locker room. Miller headlined the flurry with a pair of three-pointers inside the last 58 seconds.

Texas Tech is scheduled to face three consecutive ranked opponents beginning with No. 3 Kansas on Saturday. Tipoff is on-tap for 1 p.m. CT from the United Supermarkets Arena. The game will be televised by ESPN in addition to the Watch ESPN app.

There are a limited number of 200-level tickets available to Saturday's game for as low as $15 online at www.TexasTech.com or in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Box Office which opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff.

Texas Tech is offering enhancements for the remainder of the season to better serve its fans. The S1 Parking Lot at the John Walker Soccer Complex will be open for free parking for all fans. Texas Tech also will provide a free shuttle beginning 75 minutes prior to tipoff and 60 minutes following the game to transport fans to and from the United Supermarkets Arena.

Fans are reminded to go clear at all Texas Tech basketball games. The clear bag policy provides a safer atmosphere and speeds up the entry process into the United Supermarkets Arena.

Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TexasTechMBB and @TexasTechMBB on Twitter and Instagram.